The Phillies Zone

The injury list grows by the day and the only comfort in that is the calendar. Better now than October, right?

Ryan Howard is the latest regular missing from Charlie Manuel's lineup. He has inflammation (bursitis) in his left ankle and heel area, Ruben Amaro Jr. said. It's the same ankle he sprained last season.

Amaro said Howard is day-to-day and intimated that if it were the postseason, Howard could play. The GM said a day or two off wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for his first baseman, which is the truth.

As for Raul Ibanez, he will need at least a few more days to recover from left groin soreness. It's possible he receives an injection to help rid of the inflammation.

That's part of the reason why the Phillies placed Cole Hamels on the disabled list. Infielder Pete Orr was recalled from triple A to serve as an extra body on the bench with Ibanez sidelined.

Hamels, by the way, threw his bullpen session as scheduled. He was "absolutely fabulous," according to pitching coach Rich Dubee. He will start Monday in Cincinnati.